Mine is "Mackinac Island" in MI because of my favorite movie "Somewhere In Time."

There is just a sense of peace on the island where no cars are allowed. I LOVE it!

Another is Biltmore House in Asheville, NC.

My ExH and I took our last vacation in Savannah/Charleston/Nashville in 2006. It was a driving trip. We were supposed to be back a day earlier but traffic was a bitch. We decided to hole up in the first exit that came along that supported his Hilton points. That became Asheville, NC. Upon further inspection, I learned that this town held the biggest and most richest Vanderbilt property in the USA. Of course, I made him check this out. People: you NEED to visit this place! It is beyond COOL!

Me 48
Divorced 2010

1."'FOREVER' in love" lasts only 14 years.
2. Alcohol is NO solution just a bigger problem

My favorite drink is water. Call me Dasani23

Posts: 3212 | Registered: Mar 2014 | From: Indiana

Lucky2HaveMe♀ 13333Member # 13333

Posted: 1:00 PM, May 2nd (Friday), 2014

Another is Biltmore House in Asheville, NC.

We were in this area last summer and went to check this out... it was mad expensive! We opted for zip lining instead.

Love isn't what you say, it's what you do.

Posts: 7514 | Registered: Jan 2007 | From: WNY

Guinness23♀ 42852Member # 42852

Posted: 1:05 PM, May 2nd (Friday), 2014

it was mad expensive

Should have said that: these people KNOW how to fleece the public! Even in 2006, I was amazed at that. For people who can't afford something like that, the Biltmore better find a different way to get people coming to the door...otherwise it will just go belly up. That would be a damn shame since this IS a beautiful and before-its-time piece of American history.

Me 48
Divorced 2010

1."'FOREVER' in love" lasts only 14 years.
2. Alcohol is NO solution just a bigger problem

My favorite drink is water. Call me Dasani23

Posts: 3212 | Registered: Mar 2014 | From: Indiana

Crescita♀ 32616Member # 32616

Posted: 1:10 PM, May 2nd (Friday), 2014

Is this favorite destination in America, or favorite destination of Americans?

In the states I love San Diego, and Coronado Island. Food, weather, sites, scenery, just love it all.

My favorite destination abroad so far is the Emiglia Romagna region of Italy. Best food in Italy IMHO. Specifically, there is this little medieval town, Brisighella. It is so ridiculously storybook I want to retire there. Also they have amazing balsamic vinegar.

1."'FOREVER' in love" lasts only 14 years.
2. Alcohol is NO solution just a bigger problem

My favorite drink is water. Call me Dasani23

Posts: 3212 | Registered: Mar 2014 | From: Indiana

norabird♀ 42092Member # 42092

Posted: 1:15 PM, May 2nd (Friday), 2014

LA: The Stahl House

So magical. A wonderful piece of design and history. And still family-owned for the tours.

But of course then there's Yosemite...and all of my beloved NYC!

Sit. Feast on your life.

Posts: 4315 | Registered: Jan 2014 | From: NYC

Guinness23♀ 42852Member # 42852

Posted: 1:38 PM, May 2nd (Friday), 2014

In my own backyard it the Water Tower on Michigan Ave. This building is one of the few that survived the Great Fire of 1871. It is made of Joliet, IL limestone- something I am familiar with - and is foolproof.

The Buckingham Fountain was a gift to the city form a rich lady whose husband died, I think. In Chicago, that water fountain is not to be missed.

Throughout the city - north, south, east west, there are building and artifacts that allow Chicago to stand apart from so many. You just need to look for them.

Me 48
Divorced 2010

1."'FOREVER' in love" lasts only 14 years.
2. Alcohol is NO solution just a bigger problem

My favorite drink is water. Call me Dasani23

Posts: 3212 | Registered: Mar 2014 | From: Indiana

Amazonia♀ 32810Member # 32810

Posted: 3:14 AM, May 3rd (Saturday), 2014

Within the USA

As a proud American Expat, I humbly point out that this is boring

I love love love Monterey, California. I'd love to live in Portland, OR, although I'm sure I could relax long enough to take a leisurely two month vacation there if need be. It's the only place I've ever found I could actually enjoy reading a morning newspaper. As far as cities, Chicago caught my heart anew last summer, and New York is always good for a whirlwind good time. I think if I move back before retirement hits, northern california may beckon though - four beautiful seasons, wine country, the lure of having San Francisco near...I think I could love it.

My next vacation is scheduled to be nearer the equator than America manages to get, in a bungalow sitting out over the water, with plenty of wine and one of my oldest friends to keep my company as I try not to let the sun burn me too badly and alternate reading and lightly dozing in the sun. It will be bliss.

"You yourself deserve your love and affection as much as anybody in the universe." -Buddha
"Let's face it, life is a crap shoot." -Sad in AZ

Posts: 14184 | Registered: Jul 2011

Sad in AZ♀ 24239Member # 24239

Posted: 7:41 AM, May 3rd (Saturday), 2014

The one I haven't been to yet

May your 2015 be more FUCK YEAH! than fuck this

Posts: 21895 | Registered: Jun 2009 | From: Upstate NY

lostandhopless♂ 41568Member # 41568

Posted: 8:53 AM, May 3rd (Saturday), 2014

Moab, Utah... So much to do and just forget life. But you have to like the outdoors...

Be careful who you trust. Even your shadow will abandon you when it's dark.....

Divorced 6/13/14

Posts: 144 | Registered: Dec 2013

metamorphisis♀ 12041Member # 12041

Posted: 9:09 AM, May 3rd (Saturday), 2014

Can I play? I'm Canadian but live really close to your border

Lake Placid region of the Adirondacks. We used to go there for our Thanksgiving every year (we now go to the family cottage). There is just something magical about that area during that time of year. You can feel winter on it's way, and the evenings are almost cold. But the days are bright and sunny and all the leaves are beautiful. It was always the last salute to summer/fall and we had some wonderful trips.

I'll think of more. We camped across country twice, once with kids, once without.

One of my all time favorites and regular spots is Cape May, NJ. To be able to stretch my eyes out across the ocean is very necessary. I'd not be able to live in an interior state, I'd get claustrophobic.

But my favorite destination is in Washington, the Olympic Peninsula. The beaches are beautiful, the people are great, the camping is to die for, the seafood... I can't say enough about it. We go every summer. It's my favorite thing in life. It's where we want to retire. Something about it jus feels so ancient and healing.

From the first summer following the divorce...the kids and I have made this our "go to" vacation spot. We've been there 6 of the last 8 years.

It is touristy to be sure. But...there is something about the place that has gotten to the fiber of my being. It starts when you board the ferry to get to the island. When I step on the island I become instantly stress free. When I'm sitting on the dock waiting for ferry to deliver us to mainland after our 3 or 4 day visit...I feel a bit down. I can think of no other place that has that effect on me. If I win the big lottery....I'll be buying a summer house on the island.

I have t-shirt that says: Mackinac Island -- Good for the Soul. When I saw that I thought: Yes...exactly so.

"For every trip to the vet, there's a car ride.", Satchel Pooch.

"At some point in life, everyone has gambled on a fart and lost." -- Tad...from Craig's List

Posts: 8506 | Registered: Oct 2004 | From: North Atlanta Burbs

nowiknow23♀ 33226Member # 33226

Posted: 1:35 PM, May 4th (Sunday), 2014

Mine is "Mackinac Island" in MI because of my favorite movie "Somewhere In Time."

Guinness - blowing my mind a little here. I was on a Girl Scout trip to Mackinac Island while they were filming "Somewhere in Time." Got to see Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

Mackinac Island is a special place. We rented bikes and rode the path around the island. It was really beautiful and peaceful once we got away from the touristy bits where the ferries dock.

Loved the Florida Keys. I loved San Diego and San Francisco too, although both trips were work related, so I was somewhat limited. I'd love to go back to both with more free time.

Mine is "Mackinac Island" in MI because of my favorite movie "Somewhere In Time."

Guinness - blowing my mind a little here. I was on a Girl Scout trip to Mackinac Island while they were filming "Somewhere in Time." Got to see Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour.

Mackinac Island is a special place. We rented bikes and rode the path around the island. It was really beautiful and peaceful once we got away from the touristy bits where the ferries dock.

OMG NIK! I am SO DAMN jealous!! I would have LOVED to be there when they filmed it. The times I have been there especially the last one in 2008, I have found most of the locations it was filmed at starting with the Grand Hotel and the "Is it You" scene. The college on the island still has the stage Elise Mckenna gave her "Man of My Dreams" AND the chair with a plaque on the seat where Christopher Reeve sat. I have NEVER EVER gotten tired of the movie, story, locations AND John Barry's magnificent haunting film score.

Yes. The front of the island off the docks is loaded with 47,000 different fudge manufacturers and cheesy vendors BUT if you get past that, the island that doesn't allow cars (except firetrucks) is FULL of history, has old homes, the longest porch hotel (Grand Hotel), a Devils monument on the path around the island, and a huge park.

I have to second Mackinac Island.
From the first summer following the divorce...the kids and I have made this our "go to" vacation spot. We've been there 6 of the last 8 years.

It is touristy to be sure. But...there is something about the place that has gotten to the fiber of my being. It starts when you board the ferry to get to the island. When I step on the island I become instantly stress free. When I'm sitting on the dock waiting for ferry to deliver us to mainland after our 3 or 4 day visit...I feel a bit down. I can think of no other place that has that effect on me. If I win the big lottery....I'll be buying a summer house on the island.

I have t-shirt that says: Mackinac Island -- Good for the Soul. When I saw that I thought: Yes...exactly so.

THIS.

Yes. If I ever won the lottery, I would buy a home on it for my summer home. I LOVE this island so much and it is the only place not ruined by my exh. NO one can ruin this island for me.

As for Jane and Chris, I never had the opportunity to meet him. However, in 2010 at a book signing, I met Jane and had my pic taken with her. For about 5 minutes she actually answered questions about "Somewhere In Time." SO COOL.

Me 48
Divorced 2010

1."'FOREVER' in love" lasts only 14 years.
2. Alcohol is NO solution just a bigger problem

My favorite drink is water. Call me Dasani23

Posts: 3212 | Registered: Mar 2014 | From: Indiana

h0peless♂ 36697Member # 36697

Posted: 11:55 AM, May 5th (Monday), 2014

In the US? Like Crescita, I'm really fond of Emiglia Romana. My sister lives in Ferrara and I spent a few weeks there this winter. In the states, my favorties are:

Bisbee, AZ: Most people who go to that area visit Tombstone, which is fine if you like meth riddled tourist traps. Bisbee is about 20 miles closer to the border and it is so much nicer. The main street is awesome.

Silver Bay, Lake George, NY: I'm convinced that this is one of the most beautiful spots on Earth. My family has a reunion here every five years and I love it. No cell phone service, incredible natural beauty, beautiful historic buildings... I love it.

Mt. Lemmon, Arizona: This is right next to my house. It has one of the best motorcycle roads in the country running up to the top. In terms of ecosystems you pass through from the bottom to the top, it's supposed to be like driving from Mexico to Canada. In has the southernmost ski slope in the country and a really charming little town with a couple of good restaurants. The views are amazing. I ride my motorcycle up there a few times a month.

Supai, AZ: Located in a deep canyon that is an offshoot of the Grand Canyon, the tiny capitol of the Supai reservation is the last town with a post office still served by mule train. I backpacked it in college and it was a tough 12 miles each way but it was totally worth it. The mineral water is bright blue and it tumbles over spectacular waterfalls into limestone pools. Absolutely amazing place.

[This message edited by h0peless at 3:31 PM, May 5th (Monday)]

Posts: 2420 | Registered: Sep 2012 | From: Baja Arizona

wifehad5♂ 15162Member # 15162

Posted: 1:21 PM, May 5th (Monday), 2014

T/J

We got engaged at a roadside park overlooking Mackinac Island. We then rode the ferry over for the day and rented a tandem bike which broke when we got to the farthest point away from the rental place, so I had to push it all the way back

Right now we're spending vacations exploring the UP. A couple years ago we spent a week on Whitefish Point and explored just about all of the Eastern side. Next time we'll do the Western half and then the Keewenau Peninsula

FBH - 43
FWW - 44 (BrokenRoad)
2 kids 8 & 13

The people you do your life with shape the life you live

Posts: 40539 | Registered: Jun 2007 | From: Michigan

Crescita♀ 32616Member # 32616

Posted: 1:44 PM, May 5th (Monday), 2014

h0peless, how's the weather around Mt. Lemon this time of year? I'm travelling down that way in a couple weeks and would love to squeeze in a hike. Might have to fit in a visit to Bisbee as well